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FAQ

What elements should my POS hardware system consist of?

The set up of your hardware is entirely up to you as it should reflect the kind of experience that you’d like to create in your store. At the basic level, you are most likely going to need a receipt printer, a cash drawer, a scanner, a payment terminal, an iPad and stand if you’re using iPads, and if not then just a laptop!

What are the main differences between a desktop and an iPad hardware kit?

The iPad kit is meant for those who prefer a wireless and mobile setup - the printer is a LAN printer and the included scanner is wireless. The desktop hardware kit includes a USB-connecting scanner and USB-connecting receipt printer.

Can I use my existing hardware with the Lightspeed Retail POS?

There are ideal hardware setups that we recommend for use with Lightspeed Retail - we sell and support the hardware listed on this page. Not all hardware that you can use is necessarily built to serve as point of sale hardware or to work in a retail environment, which likely means we do not support it. For anything not listed on this page, please consult our support page or speak to one of our specialists.

Can I mix and match different hardware brands?

Yes! Certain brands are industry leaders in a particular piece of hardware, which means you will likely be unable to avoid mixing several brands within your setup. Hardware brands intended for retail are more likely to take retail-specific concerns into consideration, such as appearance and design as well as integrations with printers, scanners and payment processing hardware. POS hardware that was not conceived for a retail-specific environment has a tendency to be less modern or stylized in appearance and can make your store look boring or old-fashioned. That’s just something to keep in mind when you’re looking for the hardware best suited for your store.

Are Lightspeed’s terminals and accessories durable?

The hardware sold by Lightspeed was conceived especially for a retail environment. Knowing how long a piece of hardware will last can be difficult, however retail hardware needs to be particularly sensitive to certain elements such as dust and how it reacts to impact. After you’ve bought any hardware, Lightspeed offers technical support to all customers. We’ll be here if you have any questions about setup or functionality.

Does Lightspeed provide support for my hardware-related questions?

Absolutely. Our technical support representatives are available any time to answer questions about Lightspeed-supported hardware.

Can I use the same hardware for both my bar or restaurant and my retail store?

Some hardware pieces are definitely transferable between a bar, restaurant or retail store, such as certain types of printers and iPad POS stands, while others are much more specific to the environment you’re creating. Before setting anything up, make sure to verify the intended use of any piece of hardware with one of our representatives.